About | Project PBA

Why should you treat your Pickleball like a project?

Purpose

Whether you enjoy social, development or competitive play we will help you. We can adapt our sessions to fulfil your purpose. Maybe that is longer rallies, challenging yourself or tournament play, we can give you direction and confidence on the court.

Built

We will build your knowledge of the game while also helping you learn to self-analyse. You will build the ability to adapt your game as you learn to direct it towards your purpose.

Play

We all strive for that one time we were perfectly playing in the zone. Regardless of what level you play at, the zone exists for everyone. We can help you build this so you can make confident decisions and be in the moment.

Our Coaches

Wellington Coach/Director

Will Dewhirst

International Pickleball Teaching Professional Association Master Teaching Professional

Bachelor of Sports Coaching

Wellington Pickleball Club Head Coach

Six Zero Pickleball Ambassador

Captain of the New Zealand Open Pickleball Team 2024

Team Member of NZ Hustle Challenger in MLP Australia 2025

Growing up as a sports nerd led me to completing a Bachelor of Sports Coaching, working in Performance Analysis while coaching Football.

I first discovered Pickleball in October 2018 when I was asked to take a pop up session at the Ākau Tangi Sports Centre. I was instantly taken by the passion players had for the game and how fun it was! I made it my mission to share Pickleball with the community, this started the Pickleball programme in Wellington during 2019. From here Pickleball grew to what it is today, the Wellington Pickleball Club was formed where I originally served on the committee and am now the club Head Coach.

Over the past 6 years I have developed my game and have had success at tournaments around New Zealand. In 2024 I had the opportunity to Captain the New Zealand Open Pickleball Team at the World Pickleball Cup in Peru. My next Pickleball Challenge is as a member of the New Zealand Hustle Challenger team in Major League Pickleball Australia for 2025. I have had huge enjoyment watching an amazing pickleball community form in Wellington throughout this journey and meeting so many new and experienced players. I want to continue this and see the next step for this Pickleball project is to build a player pathway in New Zealand.

Contact Will

Wellington Coach

Conor Robertshawe

International Pickleball Teaching Professional Association Level 1

Joola Sponsored Athlete

Team Member of the Southern Stars in MLP Australia 2024

Team Member of the New Zealand Open Pickleball Team 2024

Team Member of Sydney Smash Challenger in MLP Australia 2025

I first picked up a pickleball paddle in 2018 when I was 14 years old and within minutes I was hooked. It didn't take very long for pickleball to become my passion. Over the next 7 years I grew with the sport and competed all over the country loving every minute of it and became one of New Zealand’s top players.

In 2024 I took my skills to the pro level competing in Major League Pickleball Australia and am still competing at that level today. I've even reached destinations like Peru where I represented New Zealand in the Pickleball World Cup. Playing pickleball at that level allowed me to reflect on my skills and realise that I could share those skills with New Zealand through coaching.

Since then, I have become a qualified IPTPA qualified coach. I'm also still competing at the pro level across Australasia in the Major League Pickleball Australia Challenger league for the Sydney Smash. I’m super excited to work with anyone and everyone and share my knowledge. I'll see you on court!

Contact Conor

Hawkes Bay Coach

Shane Wilson

Pickleball Coaching International, Pickleball Instructor Certification, L1

Captain of the New Zealand Masters Pickleball Team 2024 - Silver Medalists

Captain of the New Zealand Hustle Masters in MLP Australia 2025

DUPR 5.2

Shane is a skilled Pickleball player with 3 years of experience playing at the highest level in New Zealand. Currently the New Zealand number 1 Senior Player, there is no better player to learn from. As a qualified Pickleball Coach based in the Hawkes Bay, Shane is in high demand and receives great feedback after every session.

Shane has a proven track record of leadership and discipline which was clear during the Pickleball World Cup in 2024 in Lima, Peru. Shane captained the New Zealand Masters team into the final to come home with a silver medal. The New Zealand Masters team also came home with the award for Best Delegation. This highlights Shanes positive team influence and being an all around great guy.

Project Pickleball Academy is excited to have Shane on board to deliver Base Builder and Driven Development Projects in the Hawkes Bay. Shane also offers Private Coaching and Drills Sessions. Get in touch with him below if you are interested.

Contact Shane